BARBADOS AND ECUADOR have agreed to enhance relations.
This decision was made during a meeting yesterday between Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and the President of Ecuador Rafael Correa.
Noting that the countries shared a common interest in deepening the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean, Prime Minister Stuart said that the further development of ties with Ecuador was part of Barbados’ strategy of diversifying its diplomatic, commercial and cultural relations.
In this regard, the two heads of government specifically agreed to make progress on discussions relating to taxation and investment, as well as air services.
The two leaders also discussed the future of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). President Correa is the chairman of CELAC, of which Barbados and all CARICOM states are members. As chairman of CARICOM, Stuart took the opportunity to underline to President Correa the importance the region attaches to hemispheric integration.
The two heads also agreed that the particular concerns of CARICOM countries, given their status as Small Island Developing States, should be fully taken into account in the work of CELAC. (MFAFT/BGIS)
